From below it is hard to take in the height of the Cathedral. In looking at the photograph, I am also amazed at the perspective I find in comparing the now tiny gargoyles at the very top to what I knew to be their size while I visited the tower.
Soon we will climb the narrowing staircase and view the city from above.
Although many interesting facts can be found at Wikipedia, here are the ones that caught my attention. It is remarkable to have been standing where these events once took place.
The focal point of the cathedral was a complex arrangement of carved walls, statues, and columns displaying stunning detail. Dramatic lighting shows off each variance of shape.
Tomorrow, we will visit a different Paris location, and here is a hint for you.
Where in Paris specifically you think this design can be found?
Leave your guesses as a comment.
When I looked out across the street from the building I was working in, I was taken by the colors and textures here. Again, the sense of age was present because of the stone and even the shape of the building added a quaint feel. The crowning touch for me is the rusty reds of the vine which gives just the right amount of warmth to the image. Even in the winter, it finds a way to bloom.
My stay in France consisted of very late evenings and very early mornings. There wasn't much call or opportunity for sleep. This photograph of the courtyard behind the hotel was taken probably around midnight or later - right before beginning my evening ritual of work and journaling. I was amazed to see off in the distance a hill with more buildings perched on top.
Tomorrow we will venture away from the hotel.
While feasting on a croissant and various other carb-related breakfast foods, I enjoyed a quiet view of Paris from my hotel's cafe window. I was staying in Paris, however far away from any tourist attractions, thus embedded in true Parisian life. It was unbelievable to me that I was sitting there at that moment. so I simply watched and took in the view from my second story perch.
For dinner, we ate at a restaurant right by this breathtaking fountain. I have since not been able to find any information on it, except what my client told me. It tells the story or allegory of the river nearby in Nantes. Each corner of the fountain represents a part of the river.
On my second evening in France, I was taken to Nantes to see their cathedral, get a look at the city, and try the best foie gras in the area. The purple lit banners you see are in celebration of the coming Christmas season. There were decorations everywhere, but strangely not much red and green. I was to soon see throughout my trip the many differences in our cultures and way of life. What wonderful diverseness.
French Impression #2
This was usually the sight we had every morning upon our arrival at the harp workshop. I am told that for the time of year I was there we had an unusual amount of sunshine. It was hard to tell from the morning exactly what sort of day it would be as it was quite foggy and overcast almost every day. But I believe on this particular day dispite all expectations, the sun remained out through the day. A blessed occurance for these French who shivered while I felt warm.
Each morning the president of the company and I took our half hour drive to the factory, and usually engaged in conversations if not about the company, or the town, then on topics revolving around the differences between the French and Americans, the metric system, road signs, . . . etc.
It was very cool in the mornings, and all foliage was covered in a unique frost that seemed to push everything into a pastel / white shade. It was rather mesmerizing to me. On the first day to the factory, I stepped out of the car and saw that even the leaves had outlines of frost on them. It was truly beautiful so, of course, I took a picture.
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